Main Street Iowa hosted the 27th annual Main Street Iowa Awards celebration on Friday, May 2 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center (Iowa Events Center) in downtown Des Moines. The event to recognize local Main Street projects, activities and volunteers was attended by approximately 500 individuals representing communities across the state. Competitive nominations were submitted for 77 projects and activities within the five categories of design, economic restructuring, organization, promotion and overall program. Nineteen were recognized with awards and two received honorable mention.

Among the winners, from western and southwest Iowa: In the Design Award category, was: the Community of Greenfield, for the total rehabilitation of more than 5,000 square feet for the Hotel Greenfield Project; and, an Organization Award was presented to the community of Manning for the MSM Family Feud fundraising event.

The honors were presented by Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). In addition to the competitive nominations, 51 individuals or couples who were selected by their community for outstanding dedication and volunteer service benefiting the local Main Street program were recognized during the awards ceremony.

Volunteer of the Year awards were presented to: Sandy Petersen, with Avoca Main Street; Bert Peckham, with Main Street Corning; Jim & Bonnie Stalder, with Main Street Greenfield; Ken Laughery, with Main Street Guthrie Center, and Ron Reischel, with the Main Street Meeting group. The Program Director Award for years of service to their respective communities, was presented to: Doug Mullen, from Bedford; Colleen Nelson, from Manning, and Stacie Hull, from Greenfield.

In its 27-year history, Main Street Iowa has tracked over $1.3 billion in private investment in the purchase, construction and rehabilitation of property in participating commercial districts, significantly increasing the state’s job and business base. In addition, nearly two and a half million hours of volunteer time have been logged collectively by local main street organizations.

The communities of Bedford and Dunlap received recognition for their 20 years of participation as designated Main Street communities; and new Main Street organizations in Avoca, Guthrie Center and Newton were recognized and welcomed into the program, bringing the total active Main Street districts to 52.

For more information about Main Street Iowa and how all Iowa communities can access commercial revitalization assistance through the Iowa Downtown Resource Center, visit iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/IDRC/MainStreetIowa.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — Wells’ Dairy says it is voluntarily recalling one of its Blue Bunny ice cream products for a labeling problem. The Le Mars, Iowa-based company said in a news release Saturday that packages of 56 fluid-ounce Blue Bunny Premium Bordeaux Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream are being recalled because the product may contain egg not declared on the label. People who are allergic to egg could have a severe reaction if they consume the ice cream.

The packages were sold at retail grocery stores in Kansas, Indiana and Iowa. The products affected are from Lot Number 40010 TTT 19115, and have a best-used-by date of Oct. 9, 2015. The company says no customers have reported any illnesses in connection with the ice cream to date.

The Red Oak Police Department says no injuries were reported after a car slammed into a restaurant Saturday afternoon in Red Oak. Officials say at around 12:22-p.m., 14-year old Ethan Baumli, Clarinda, was driving a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix and attempting to park in front of the KFC/Taco Bell store at 400 E. Senate Avenue, when he became distracted by his mother in the passenger seat.

The teen stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the car to jump the curb, cross the sidewalk and strike the northeast corner of the building.  The building sustained about $10,000 damage during the mishap, while damage to the car was estimated at $1,000.

Officials say Red Oak Fire and Rescue personnel checked the structure and determined the building was safe for occupancy.

w/ Chris Parks

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The Red Oak Police Department reports a two vehicle accident in Red Oak at 5:32pm Friday.  The Red Oak Police Department and Red Oak Fire and Rescue responded to the report of an accident at the intersection of N 3rd Street and E Corning Street.

After investigation it was determined that a 1994 Ford Mustang driven by 16-year-old Kole Andrew Lovely of Creston slowed but did not stop traveling south at the intersection for a stop sign and proceeded into the intersection.  This put his vehicle directly in the eastbound path of a 2012 GMC Terrain driven by 85-year-old Harlan Henry Ebert of Red Oak.  Ebert attempted to avoid Lovely’s vehicle but was unable to and the vehicles collided with both vehicles coming to rest facing east.

Ebert and a female passenger were treated at the scene for minor injuries but refused transport to a medical facility.  Lovely and a passenger were examined at the scene and reported no injuries.  Both vehicles were towed from the scene due to $4,000 damage to the Lovely vehicle and $6,000 damage to the Ebert vehicle.  Lovely was cited for failure to obey a stop sign and no proof of insurance.

A Shambaugh man who left his home for a couple of days over the last weekend in April, came home to find several items missing. The Page County Sheriff’s Office says the man reported a deadbolt to his building was unlocked when he came home. Missing from the residence located at 210 West Street, were several tools, including four paint spray guns, a pressure pot, and a half-inch millimeter wrench. The loss was estimated at $5,100. Anyone with information about the theft should contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office.

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A description of the items missing is as follows:

Binks Model 7 Manuel Air Spray gun; Hulp Model 62 spray gun; Binks pressure pot; Sharps prime paint gun; Sharps Touch up spray gun, and a Snap-On 1/2″ mm wrench.

A reported domestic disturbance Thursday morning in College Springs led to one person being arrested on an assault charge. Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer says deputies responded to a residence in the 700 block of Oberline Avenue in College Springs just after 2-a.m., Thursday.

When deputies arrived they spoke with a 19-year old female who lives in the home and subsequently arrested 42-year old Douglas Brian Stotts, who also lives there. Stotts was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault, and transported to the Page County Jail where he was being held without bond pending an appearance before a magistrate.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office would like the public to be aware: If you receive a call claiming you owe an outstanding debt and a warrant will be issued for your arrest if you don’t forward money to someone right away, you very well may be the target of a scam. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office would like the public to be aware that our Sheriff’s Office NEVER cold-calls citizens to tell them to pay a fine RIGHT NOW or go to jail.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests on Friday (May 2nd). Officials say 28-year old Trel Curtis Peterson, of Massena, was arrested on two Cass County warrants for Burglary in the 3rd degree and Criminal Mischief 4th degree, along with and Burglary 3rd and Harassment 1st Degree. Peterson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he is being held on $10,000 bond.

On May 2, 2014, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Robert Lee Atkinson, 36, of Anita,  on a charge of Driving Under Suspension. Atkinson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released on $300 bond.

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce say that effective May 19th, 2014 Rhonda Larsen will take over the position of Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Larsen succeeds Megan Roberts, who announced last month she was leaving to pursue employment in the insurance industry. Roberts has served as the Chamber Director since August, 2012.

Chamber President Amy Jordahl said “On behalf of the Chamber Board, we are confident that Rhonda is going to be a perfect fit for the Chamber team. She has an excellent background in marketing and promotions and strong relationships in the Atlantic area to help us accomplish our goals.”

Jordhal said also “We have a strong team of board members, volunteers, businesses and staff. Rhonda is a great addition to our leadership team, and we are thankful for a community that will help her transition into this new role.”